Clearer Skies for Shaw Butte: Doing Our Part for Phoenix Air Quality
Living in the shadow of Shaw Butte, we are lucky to have some of the most beautiful views in the Valley. However, as many of us have noticed lately, those views are increasingly obscured by a thick layer of brown haze.
A recent report from the American Lung Association (April 2024) has confirmed what our eyes and lungs have been telling us: Phoenix’s air quality remains among the worst in the United States.
The Current State of Our Air
According to the latest "State of the Air" report, Phoenix has once again received a failing grade. We currently rank as the 4th-smoggiest city in the nation for ozone pollution. Additionally, our particle pollution—the tiny soot and dust that gets deep into our lungs—has worsened, moving us from the 20th to the 15th worst in the country.
This isn’t just a matter of visibility; it’s a public health crisis. Poor air quality is directly linked to increased rates of asthma, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer. In our desert climate, the combination of intense sun and high temperatures acts like an oven, baking tailpipe emissions and industrial pollutants into harmful ground-level ozone.
Small Changes, Big Impact: "Mowing Down Pollution"
While we can’t control the heat or the wind, we can control what we put into the air right here in our own neighborhoods. You might be surprised to learn that one of the biggest contributors to local air pollution is sitting in your garage or shed.
According to the EPA, using a gas-powered commercial leaf blower for just one hour can emit as much pollution as driving a car 1,100 miles! Because lawn equipment lacks the sophisticated catalytic converters found in cars, they release high levels of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) right into the air our families breathe.
The good news? There is a friendly and affordable way to upgrade.
Maricopa County’s "Mowing Down Pollution" Program is designed to help residents make the switch to cleaner, quieter electric or battery-powered equipment. If you’re a resident of Maricopa County, you can participate in a simple trade-in program:
Lawn Mowers: Turn in your old, working gas mower and receive a $200 voucher toward a new electric or battery-powered model.
Handheld Equipment: Turn in gas-powered trimmers, blowers, or chainsaws and receive a $75 voucher toward an electric version.
For Professionals: The program also offers commercial vouchers of up to $300 for businesses and agencies looking to modernize their fleets.
Why Go Electric?
Beyond the air quality benefits, electric equipment is:
Quieter: Your neighbors (and your ears) will thank you.
Easier to Maintain: No more oil changes, spark plug replacements, or trips to the gas station with a leaky can.
Instant Start: No more pulling a cord twenty times—just push a button and get to work.
How to Participate
Getting your voucher is easy:
Apply Online: Visit the Maricopa County Mowing Down Pollution page to fill out a residential application.
Drop Off: Take your working gas-powered device to a designated drop-off location to be recycled.
Shop: Take your voucher to a participating Home Depot and enjoy your discount on a brand-new, zero-emission tool.
As we look up at Shaw Butte today, let’s commit to doing our part to keep the air clear and our community healthy. Upgrading your mower is a small step, but if enough of us make the switch, we can breathe a little easier together.
